Wee Reds P7

Wee Reds P7 Page: Season 2015-16

P7s at RHC

Sunday 24 January 2016

The P7s travelled through to Barnton (home of RHC Cougars) to play their first matches in 2016. Opponents were Boroughmuir and RHC Cougars.

The squad hadn’t played for some time due to fixture cancellations due to the bad weather leading up to Christmas, so this was our first competitive outing for some time and therefore the team were a little rusty.

Wee Reds 1 – Boroughmuir 6

First up was Boroughmuir who were a very organised and well drilled side. Our previous encounter had resulted in a tight 2-2 draw and was a very competitive and balanced match. However, on this occasion the Weee Reds met their match!

Again the game was evenly contested in the main and the squad gave their all, but they were bullied up front by the opposition who were slightly quicker at the breakdown and their defence was up and in our faces consistently which resulted in us having no space to play our game.

Still the game was a tight affair leading into the last 5 minutes with Boroughmuir only leading 3-1, but unfortunately a further score by their forward pack knocked the Reds confidence and we conceded a few sloppy tries at the end to finish on the wrong end of a 6-1 defeat.

Post match discussions with the Boroughmuir coaches were very complimentary about our effort and ability, and admitting that the final scoreline flattered them and that the game had been far closer than the scoreline suggested.

The Reds gave their all and their effort couldn’t be faulted but we had to accept that we were beaten by the better and more organised team on that occasion. But we’ll be back…….

Wee Reds 12 – RHC 1

Next up was RHC so, after a debrief of all of the positive points taken from the first game against good opposition, we rallied the squad to come back strong!

With all respect, the opposition in the next game was weaker than our first encounter and their team were struggling with numbers so ended up borrowing a few of the Boroughmuir players. The Wee Reds turned up and came out of the blocks scoring a number of excellent team tries from the start, winning ball at the breakdown and releasing the ball wide to allow our wingers to show their speed and balance.

This is what we had been unable to do successfully in the first match as we were harassed by the opposition defence. This match was a totally different affair and we got the opportunity to play to our strengths and to play our game.

The addition of the Boroughmuir players couldn’t stop us showing our skills and we a were successful in consistently winning ball at the breakdown and exploiting the speed in the team to score several uncontested tries.

The team got their ‘mojo’ back and ran out 12-1 winners and their confidence returned.

Baa Baa’s 3 – Baa Baa’s 2

Finally, the coaches collectively agreed that the last fixture would be a composite Baa Baa’s game, mainly consisting of players from both the Boroughmuir and RHC squads but with a small contribution from the Wee Reds to give it that edge!!

Four volunteers stepped forward with two players playing on each side. The boys Murray, Eioan, Callum and Oscar all played their part in a close and competitive game with the score finishing 3-2 and they had their opportunity to tackle some of their teammates in a friendly but competitive game!!

Well done to all of the squad for their efforts on the day and the boys for assisting and representing the club in the Baa Baa’s fixture.

A lot was learnt on the day on what we need to improve on but also what our strengths are, and all in all the Wee Reds did good in their first fixture for some time. I’m confident we can have a successful second half of the season if we accept the lessons of the day, train hard on our weaknesses and move on.

Next up, home fixture on Sunday against Forrester, Kinross and Livingston!! Bring it on………….

Great progress has been made in the development and enjoyment of the players and coaches involved.

Thanks to LRFC for the presentation ceremony and the LRFC ties, certificates, medals, & trophies and a huge thank you to Julie Nicol for the gift of the fantastic chocolate graduation cake that was shared throughout the “fun day”.

Both games were played in the correct spirit and all players represented themselves with aplomb.

Following on from their fantastic performance at Lenzie the P7’s were quick out of the blocks with great teamwork, utilising all the skills developed in training this year, demonstrating good tackling, passing, rucking communication and spirit.

Tries again were spread throughout the team from Alexander Dunlop, Tammo Foad, Oliver Mole, Kyle Haston, Callum Evans, Jarrod Binstead, Adam Buckley (sorry if I missed anyone) with an 8-0 victory over Dunfermline and a 6-2 victory over Kinross.

Thanks to Dunfermline for the invite and warm hospitality.

The P7’s once again lifted the trophy at the Dunfermline tournament and we look forward to Livingston next week.

LENZIE – SUNDAY 29th MARCH

LRFC met Lenzie for the second time in the space of 5 weeks. The previous encounter was a close game that ended in a 3-1 victory for the Reds.

Unfortunately for Lenzie today they came up against a LRFC side in rampant form that has improved game by game since the last meeting.

Three 15 min games ware played to give all the boys in the squad game time.

LRFC were very quick out the blocks and soon had Lenzie on the back-foot.

Lenzie struggled to get to grips with the pressure exerted by Linlithgow, who dominated in all areas of the game with good rucking, tackling, passing, support play and team spirit that led to a 21 points to nil victory for their effort.

Credit must go to the LRFC P7’s for their team work, concentration and dedication to improve their individual and team performance in the month of March scoring 49tries and conceding 4.

Tries were spread through out the backs and forwards with team work the champion of the day.

Thanks to Lenzie for their effort right to the end of the game and thanks for the invite into the club- house, where great hospitality was on offer.

HILLFOOTS – SUNDAY 22nd MARCH

A very cold day at “Hillfoots” was soon warmed up with a sizzling hot display from LRFC P7’s with 2 victories against Kinross and the tournament host “Hillfoots”.

LRFC continued there recent good form with an 8-0 victory over Kinross and a hard fought 5-1 victory over Hillfoots.

Once again great credit goes to the P7’s teamwork, with 13 tries scored and 1 try conceded.

Good pressure and rucking play from the forwards led to good combination play fro the half backs that brought the backs into the game, allowing confidence to build up with good passing and support play all round.

The LRFC P7’s were awarded the “Hillfoots Rugby Club Award of “CLUB OF THE DAY” for outstanding attitude, sportsmanship and rugby development.

A big thank you to all the players that took part in todays games and a big thanks to the host “Hillfoots” for inviting LRFC along.

STEWART MELVILLES – SUNDAY 15th MARCH

A squad of 14 LRFCP7’s pitched up at Inverleith- the home of Stewart’s Melville RFC to play against two home teams A & B.

LRFC performed well winning a hard fought victory against “team A” 3-2 and comfortably winning the second game against “team B” 5-0.

Stewart’s Melville demonstrated fantastic handling ability in both games moving the ball through hands at fantastic pace causing LRFC to struggle a little. Once LRFC got to grips with the pace they began to demonstrate the good work achieved in training through rucking, moving the ball wide and support play.

The Stewart’s Melville coach complimented LRFC P7’s on their support play and stated “he felt this was a major factor in the result” of the two games played”.

Tries were once again spread through the team with Ewan Curran, Kyle Haston, Callum Miller, Ross Manetta, Jarrod Binstead & Alexander Dunlop all contributing.

Both sets of coaches felt that both matches were honest competitive games with no quarter given played in the correct manner.

Congratulation to all the players that took part.

FALKIRK – SUNDAY 8th MARCH

A good day of rugby at Falkirk.

LRFC P7’s played Lenzie, Falkirk & Biggar.

Three competitive games with all teams trying to play expansive rugby in the correct team ethos and spirit.